Control apparatus for fuel burning appliances



H. W. RICE Sept. 28, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 13, 1951 l N \TI/ l \1 v W\ J Y 2 TE N MN? v S Q! %m Wm, m r w Wm mm Q% 1 Q g a l fin QM F WW IN VEN TOR. 644E040 6%" E1645.

HTTO/P/VEY p 28, 1954 H. w. RICE 2,690,189

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES Filed Jan. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J INVENTOR. it? #412040 M2165.

.his a 7- roe/v5 4 Sept. 28, 1954 w, RlCE 2,690,189

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES Filed Jan. 13, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TOR. /-/9 E04 0 CW. Pros:-

H. W. RICE Sept. 28, 1954 CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. #02040 MPICAE'.

Filed-Jan. 13, 1951 Patented Sept. 28, 1954 CONTROL APPARATUS FOR FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES Harold W. Rice, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, Greensburg, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application January 13, 1951, Serial No. 205,864

6 Claims.

This invention relates to control apparatus for fuel burning appliances and, more particularly, to a combination automatic pilot and electrically operated valve.

In many fuel burning appliances, an automatic pilot valve and a separate solenoid valve are placed in series in the fuel supply line. The automatic pilot valve prevents the escape of unburned fuel in the usual manner while the solenoid valve serves either as a time or temperature control or over-temperature shut-off and the like being in each case under the control of an appropriate switch. Such an arrangement involves the cost of two separate control valves. Another disadvantage is the resultant pressure drop through two valves.

The present invention has for an object the reduction of initial cost and upkeep in fuel burning appliances. At the same time, a reduction in the pressure drop through the system is also obtained. .In the described embodiment of the invention, a single control valve is utilized to achieve the foregoing objects and is controlled individually by thermally responsive means and an electrical relay through a lever device which may take any one of several forms.

Thus, one embodiment of such a control apparatus for fuel burning appliances having main and pilot burners provides a control valve having open and closed positions for controlling the fuel supply to the main burner and being biased to one of said positions, a lever device operably associated with said control valve, means responsive to a flame at the pilot burner and efiective for operating said lever device for moving said control valve to the other said position, electrically operated means for operating said lever device to effect movement of said control valve under said bias when said flame responsive means is effective and switch means operable for controlling the energization of said electrically operable means.

Such a combination control may be used on a fuel burning appliance, such as a gas range, for the usual automatic pilot and in connection with a clock control switch for automatic time control of the oven. On a space heater, this ccm- These taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a fuel burning appliance having the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the control apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the control apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of control apparatus and;

Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of a further modified form of control apparatus.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, a fuel burner installation is shown as comprising a main burner i0 receiving a supply of fuel from a manifold l2 by way of a main fuel pipe [4. Interposed in the main fuel pipe I4 is a series arrangement of a main shut-off cock Hi and the control valve of this invention designated generally by the reference numeral it. As is customary in such devices, the main fuel cock [6 may embody thermostatic means (not shown) for controlling flow of fuel in the main fuel pipe M in response to the heat generated by the main burner [0. Consequently, the system of Fig. 1 is adapted for gas range application wherein the main burner i0 is located in the oven compartment.

A pilot burner I9 is provided for the main burner ill and receives a supply of fuel from the manifold it! through a conduit 22 which is provided with a separate pilot shut-01f cook 23. In addition to thermostatic control of the main burner ill, a time control arrangement may be provided as will be hereinafter described and includes a time clock 25 having a control switch 29 associated therewith in the usual manner.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 in conjunction with Fig. 1, the control device 18 comprises a valve casing 20 having an inlet 22 and an outlet 24 for connection to the main fuel pipe I4 in which the control device I8 is interposed as described. The valve casing 20 is provided with a valve seat 26 which intersects the inlet 22 and outlet 24. A control valve member 28 is movable between open and closed positions relative to the valve seat 26 for controlling the fuel supply in the main fuel pipe 14 and is biased to the closed position by a coil spring 36. The valve parts contained in the valve casing 22% may be conventional and only the essential parts will be described herein. Accordingly, a valve operating stem 32 is operatively connected with the valve member 28 and projects from the casing 2!) for axial movement by means to be described.

A control casing 34 is secured to the valve casing 20 and houses the electromagnetic actuator and the automatic pilot control of this invention. Since the valve stem 32 projects into the casing 34, a compact arrangement of the parts is facilitated. The electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil member 13% which is secured to the control casing 34 by means of the screw 38. An armature 1!; is cooperable with a pole face 39 projecting from the coil 36 in the usual manner and is pivoted at one end on a support 42 forming part of a frame M of the relay. Pivotal movement of the armature 4G to and away from the pole face 39 to establish the attracted and released positions respectively, is limited by the provision of a stop 46 which projects from the frame t4 and overlies a free end of the armature 483 for this purpose. A tension spring 48 extends between the pivoted end of the armature 48 and a spring retainer 5t on the frame 54 for biasing the armature to its released position as limited by the stop 46.

The casing 3 1 is provided with a cover 52 which forms a support for the automatic pilot component of this invention. Thus, a thermal element comprising a bulb lid, capillary tube 56, and expansible actuating element 58 is arranged with the bulb element be located to be heated by a flame from the pilot burner I9 and the expansible element 58 within the casing 34. Suitable adjusting means are provided for positioning the expansible element 58 relative to the cover 52 and take the form of a threaded bushing fill which extends through the cover 52 and is suitably bored for the reception of the capillary tube 56 which extends therethrough. A lock-nut 62 is provided for the bushing 69 and operatively engages the cover member 52 to secure the parts in position thereon.

A lever device comprising in this embodiment a single lever arm 64 is positioned in the casing 34 for transmitting movement from the expansible member 58 and the armature M3 to the valve stem 32. One end of the lever arm 64 is provided with an aperture 85 for the reception of a reduced end 68 formed on the operating stem 32 and defining a shoulder upon which the lever arm 64 may rest. The opposite end of the lever arm M is also apertured for the reception of a tongue 'lll formed on a tab member II which is secured to the armature 40 as by the rivets 12. The lever arm 64 is thus supported at opposite ends on one side thereof for operative engagement with the operating stem 32 of the valve member 28 and the tab H of the armature member 40.

The lever arm 64 is maintained by the arrangement described in operative engagement with a button M carried by the expansible member 55!. The button M is positioned intermediate the ends of the lever arm 64 on the opposite side thereof from the operating stem 32 and the projection ll. As is customary in such devices, the expansible member 58 is movable by expansion of the fluid contained in the bulb 5 1 when such fluid is heated by a flame at the pilot burner I9. In this embodiment, the fluid is preferably mercury which becomes completely vaporized by the heat of the pilot flame for actuating the expansible member 58 as described.

The electrical connections for the coil 38 of the relay and the clock operator 25 will be described in connection with the operation of the apparatus which now follows:

Operation Assuming that the bulb 54 is being heated by a flame from the pilot burner l9 and the coil 35 is deenergized as by operation of the clock 25 then the parts will be in the position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. If now the switch operator 29 associated with the clock 25 closes its contacts, then a circuit is closed from line wire L wire '13, coil 38, switch 29, wire l5 and line wire L The coil 36 becomes energized and the armature member All? will be moved to its attracted position. During such movement, the armature member it fulcrums about the support t2 and rotates counterclockwise until the central portion contacts the pole face 39. Since the tab ll is moved downwardly in this operation, the bias of the valve spring 39 rotates the lever arm 64 in a clockwise direction about the button M as a fulcrum. The opposite or left-hand end of the lever arm E l moves upwardly in the control casing M for closing movement of the valve member 28 under bias of the valve spring 39 but with snap-action. Thus, the control valve l8 shuts off the flow of fuel to the main burner 19.

When the coil 36 becomes deenergized as by opening of the control switch 29, then the armature spring as rotates the armature 40 clockwise about the support 52 until the left-hand end of the armature 40 contacts the stop it. Thus, the tab ll is moved upwardly and the tongue l0 thereon rotates the lever arm 54 counterclockwise so that the operating stem 32 is moved downwardly against the bias of the valve spring 33 also with snap-action. The valve member 28 is thus moved to open position to permit flow of fuel in the main fuel pipe hi to the main burner it where it is ignited by the flame at the pilot burner l9. This completes the operation of the control Valve 18 electrically by means of the relay operator.

In the event that the flame at the pilot burner I9 is extinguished, then the bulb 54 Will 0001 and the expansible member 58 will contract. The button 14 is thus moved upwardly causing the lever arm 64 to rotate clockwise about the tongue IE! on the tab H. The left-hand end of the lever arm 64 mOVes upwardly in the control casing 34 causing the valve member 28 to close under bias of the valve spring 36 with gradual action. Hence, it will be apparent that the valve member 28 will be moved to open position only if the expansible member 58 is in its expanded condition and the coil 36 0f the relay operator is deenergized. Should the expansible member 58 be contracted or should the coil 35 be energized, then the valve member 28 cannot move to its open position relative to the valve seat 2 5.

It will further be observed that the control valve Iii is normally open insofar as the electromagnetic operator is concerned, that is, the valve member 28 is moved to open position when the coil 36 is deenergized. Thus, in the event of power failure, the appliance may be used under manual control without the necessity for special manipulation of by-pass valves or valve opening devices. The automatic pilot function obviously remains fully operative under power failure conditions. However, if desired, control valve l8 operating on a similar principle but of the normally closed type could be provided. This type of device would retain the advantages of low cost and of low pressure drop, but special provision would be required for operation of the appliance during power failures.

, casing 80.

Fig. 4 embodiment In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, acontrol valve 19 includes the coil 36 and its armature 40 which are disposed in overlying relationship with the operating stem32. Consequently, theexpansible member 58 is also reversed relative to the operating stem 32 and a special casing 80 is employed in this embodimentft o accommodate the changed arrangement of parts. Thus, the coil 36 is secured by means of a screw 38 to the upper surface oftheicasing'flil intermediate the operating stem 32 and the expansible member 58 which is adjustably secured to the lower wall of the casing 80 as previously indicated. A closure plate 82 is carried on the casing 80 to provide access to the interior when desired.

The lever device comprises a pair of longitudinally extending lever arms 84 and 86 respectively which are interlocked in end-to-end engagement by a tongue 88 on the lever 86 entering a suitably apertured end on the lever 84. The opposite or free end ofv the lever 84 is provided with an aperture .99 for the reception of a projection 92 on the end of the operating stem 32 as in the previously described embodiment, so that the lever arm 84 can rest upon the shoulder formed thereby. The opposite end of the lever arm 86 is pivotally mounted and, to this end, is received within an aperture 94 formed in the Intermediate the pivot 94 and the tongue 88 the lever arm 86 is suitably apertured to receive the button I4 as in the previously described embodiment. l

The armature member 40 carries a tab 96 which is secured as by the rivets 98 to the armature member 40but is of slightly different conformation than the previously describedembodiment. Thus, the terminal end of thetab 96 is provided with a tongue I 00 which is received'within an I aperture I02 formed intermediate the ends of the lever arm 84. Hence, the armature member 40 operatively engages the device on the opposite side thereof from the operating stem 32 and the expansible member58.

' Operation of the Fig.4 embodiment The control valve'19 can be substituted in the installation of Fig. 1. 'The electrical operation of the valve member 28 is obtained by means of the energization of the coil 36 and the automatic pilot control of the valve member-28 is obtained by means of the flame sensitive thermal element to which the expansible membe' 58 is connected. If the expansible member 56 is in its expanded condition and if the coil 36 is-deenergized, then the valve member 28 is in the open position as shown in Fig. 1. When the coil'36 is energized, either by means of a clock operator 25 or a thermostat I6, then the armature 40 is attracted to the pole face 39. In such operation, the arma 'ture member 40 fulcrums about the support 42 tromagnetic operator, then the armature spring 48 rotates the armature member .48 in ,a counterclockwise direction about the support 42 until the left-hand end strikes the stop 46. Thus, the tongue I00 on the tab 96 is moved downwardly for rotating the lever'arm 84 in a counterclockwise direction about the connection 88 and forcing the operating stem '32 downwardly for opening the valve member 28 also with snap-action. This completes the operation of the valve electrically by means of the electromagnetic operator.

In the event that the flame at the pilot burner I9 is extinguished, then the expansible element 58 contracts and the button I4 will move downwardly relative to the casing 80. The lever arm 86 i rotated counterclockwise by the operating stem' 32 under bias of the valve spring about the wall of the aperture 94 as a fulcrum. The lever 84, at the same time, is rotated clockwise about the wall of the aperture I02 for closing the valve member 28 with gradual action. As in the previous embodiment, it is only if the expansible member 58 is expended and the coil 36 deenergized, that the valve member 28 may be moved to open position. If the expansible member 58 is contracted, or'if the coil 36 is ener- 'gized,v thenthe-valve member 28'will be moved to the closed position under bias of the valve spring 30. I

Fig. 5 embodiment In this embodiment of the invention, a control'valve I03 includes ajsnap-action movement of the valve member 28'under automatic pilot control in place of the gradual action of the previously described embodiments. The arrangement of the partsis' similar to'that shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. in that the expansible member 58 is positioned in overlying relation to the operating stem 32 while the coil 38 and its armature arein side-by-side relation with the operating stem 32. Moreover, the armature spring 48 is now positioned in reverse relation to the coil 36 thus permitting'use of the tab 98 and tongue I00 as in Fig. 4 embodiment. Such arrangement of the tab 96 provides for greater length of the'lever device comprising a single lever arm I04 in this embodiment. Thus, the lever arm I04 is supported at opposite ends on the operating stem 32 and the tab 96 respectively as described'in connection with the Figs. 1 to 3 embodiments and further description is deemed unnecessary. I I

The snap-action means of this embodiment takes the form of an operatinglever vI98 which is mounted at one end on the button i4 and'at the opposite end on a support I08'1secured as by the rivets I I0 to the cover 52., A conventional thrust element IIZ having an annular knife edge I I4 is cooperable with a clicker disc I I8 which, in turn, is supported on a knife-edge mounting I I8 formed on a housing I20. The clicker disc I I6 operatively engages with a plunger I22, theoppositeend of which operatively engages with the lever I04 intermediate its ends; being applied by the thrust member I I2, the clicker disc II6 will reverse its position and operate the plunger I 22 for rotating'the lever I04 as will be apparent.

Operation of Fig. 5 embodiment I The control valve I03 can besubstituted in the installation of Fig. 1;: As in the previously described embodiments, the electrical operationof the valve member 28 is obtained by means of the coil 38 moving the armature member 40 between attracted and released positions. The automatic pilot control is obtained by means of the expansible member 58 moving between expanded and Upon sufficient thrust contracted positions.

As shown'in Fig. 5, the expansible member 58 is expanded and the coil 36 is deenergized so that the valve member 28 is in the open position. vWhen the coil 36 is energized then the armature 40 is attracted to the pole face 39 and fulcrums about the support 42. This movement of the armature 40 is in a clockwise direction so that the bias of the valve spring 30 rotates the lever arm I04 also in a clockwise direction about the plunger I22 as a fulcrum. Since the armature member 40 is always moved withsnap-action toward the pole faces 39, then the operating stem 32 will move upwardly serving to close the valve member 28 under bias of the valve spring 30 with snap-action as in the previously described embodiments.

If the coil 36 is now deenergized the armature spring 48 rotates the armature 40 in a counterclockwise direction about the support 42 until the right-hand end of the armature 40 strikes the stop 46. Thus, the tongue I on the armature tab 95 is moved upwardly and the lever arm I04 is rotatedin a counterclockwise direction about the plunger I22 as a fulcrum. The opposite end of the lever arm .I04 consequently forces the operating stem 32 downwardly and serves to open the valve member 28 against the bias of the valve spring 30 with snap-action.

In the event that flame of the pilot burner is extinguished, then the expansible member 58 contracts moving the button I4 upwardly. The lefthand. end of the operating lever I06 follow the movement of the button I4 and the lever rotates clockwise about the support I08 due to bias of the clicker disc IIB which thereupon reverses its position from that shown in Fig. after the thrust of the thrust element II2 has been sufficiently relieved. Consequently, the plunger I22 moves upwardly due to the bias of the operating stem 32 on the lever device I04 and the valve member 28 moves to closed position with snapaction.

It will be apparent that expansion of the expansible member 58 will erve to conduct a reverse operation of the operating lever I06 and the snap-action mechanism associated therewith so that thevalve member 28 is moved to open position against the bias of the spring 30 also with a snap-action. As in the previously described embodiments, the valve member 28 will be opened only if the expansible member 58 is expanded and the coil 36 is deenergized. In the event that the expansible member 58 is contracted, or if the coil 36 is energized, then the valve member 28 will consequently be closed.

While several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein it will be apparent that many other changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Control apparatus comprising in combination, a control valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat, avalve member movable between open and closed positions relative to said seat for controlling flow through said valve passages, said valve member being biased to said closed position, an operating stem for said valve member and projecting from said casing, an expansible member positioned on one side of said valve stem for movement substantially parallel thereto, electromagnetic means having an electromagnet and an armature movable between attracted and released positions in response to energization and dee'nergization of said electromagnet, means for biasing said armature to said released position, a lever device including a pivot movable with said armature and a lever mounted on said pivot, said lever being operatively connected to said valve stem and to said expansible member for moving said valve member against its bias to said open position thereof upon expansion of said expansible member while said armature is in said released position, said pivot being movable to an inactive position relative to said lever when said armature is moved to said attracted position to render said lever ineffective to hold said valve member in said open position.

2. Control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lever device includes a single lever arm having its opposite ends on one side thereof in operative engagement with said valve stem and said pivot respectively, said expansible member being positioned intermediate said ends and being operatively engageable with an opposite side of said lever arm.

3. Control apparatus comprising in combination, a control valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat, a valve member movable between open and closed positions relative to said seat for controlling flow through said valve passages, said valve member being biased to said closed position, an operating stem for said valve member and projecting from said casing, an expansible member positioned on one side of said valve stem for movement substantially parallel thereto, electromagnetic means having an electromagnet and an armature movable between attracted and released positions in response to energ zation and deenergization of said electromagnet, means for biasing said armature to said released position, a lever device including a pair of longitudinally extending lever arms interlocked in end-to-end engagement and having the opposite ends thereof in operative engagement with said valve stem and said expansible member respectively, and pivot means movable with said armature and operatively engaging one of said lever arms adjacent said interlocked ends, said pivot means being movable to an inactive position relative to aid one lever arm when said armature is moved to said attracted position to render said one lever arm ineilective to hold said valve member in said open position.

4. Control apparatus comprising in combination, a control valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat, a valve member movable between open and closed positions relative to said seat for controlling flow through said valve passages, said valve member being biased to said closed position, an operating stem for said valve member and projecting from said casing, an expansible member positioned on one side of said valve stem for movement substantially parallel thereto, electromagnetic means having an electromagnet and an armature movable between attracted and released positions in response to energization and deenergization of said electromagnet, means for biasing said armature to said released position, pivot means on said armature, a lever device including'va lever arm having its opposite ends on one side thereof in operative engagement with said valve stem and said pivot means respectively, and a second lever arm operatively engageable with the median portion of the first said lever arm and said expansible member for moving said valve member against its bias to said open position thereof while said armature is in said released position, said pivot means 9 being movable to an inactive position relative to said first lever when said armature is moved to said attracted position to render said first lever arm ineffective to hold said valve member in said open position.

5. Control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein snap-action means are interposed between said second lever arm and said first lever arm for imparting snap-action movement to said valve member upon movement of said expansible member.

6. Control apparatus comprising in combination, a control valve casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve seat, a valve member movable between open and closed positions relative to said seat for controlling flow through said valve passages, said valve member being biased to one of said positions, an operating stem for said valve member and projecting from said casing, an expansible member positioned on one side of said valve stem for movement substantially parallel thereto, a lever member operatively connected to said expansible member to be adjustable bodily therebybetween active and inactive positions in response to expansion and contraction respectively of said expansible member, said lever member being operatively connected to said operating stem for actuating said valve member in said active position of said lever member, an elec- 10 tromagnet, an armature movable between attracted and released positions relative to said electromagnet in response to energization and deenergization respectively of said electromagnet,

, and connection means between said armature and References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,068 Joesting Apr. 14, 1942 1,994,983 DeFlorez Mar. 19, 1935 2,037,810 Mantz Apr. 21, 1936 2,214,558 Kronmiller Sept. 10, 1940 2,290,049 Hildebrecht July 14, 1942 2,306,578 Wetzel Dec. 29, 1942 2,383,676 Paille Aug. 28, 1945 2,457,378 Johnson et a1 Dec. 28, 1948 2,505,432 Sager Apr. 25, 1950 

